Backlight assembly and display apparatus having the same

ABSTRACT

A backlight assembly includes a light guiding plate, a light source and a bottom receiving plate. The light source is disposed at a first side of the light guiding plate. The bottom receiving plate includes a bottom surface and a side wall to form a receiving space in which at least a portion of the light guiding plate is placed. The bottom surface is smaller than a lower surface of the light guiding plate and has a plurality of openings formed through the bottom surface. The side wall extends from the bottom surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean PatentApplication No. 2011-0058554, filed on Jun. 16, 2011, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office (KIPO), the contents of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of the Present Invention

Example embodiments of the present invention relate generally to flatpanel displays. More particularly, example embodiments of the presentinvention relate to a backlight assembly for a flat panel display and adisplay apparatus having the backlight assembly.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, a display apparatus includes a display panel displaying animage and a backlight assembly supplying light to the display panel. Thebacklight assembly may include various kinds of light sources. Forexample, many recent backlights employ arrays of light emitting diodes(LEDs).

The backlight assembly is classified as an edge-illumination type or adirect-illumination type, according to the position of its light source.In the edge-illumination type, a light guiding plate for guiding thelight is disposed adjacent to the light source. For example, in adisplay apparatus used for a slim PC, a bottom receiving plate receivinga light guiding module is smaller than the light guiding module todecrease a total width of a frame, so that the light source and thelight guiding plate are partially received in the bottom receivingplate.

Generally, the bottom receiving plate may include a metal. Heatgenerated from the light source is conducted to the bottom receivingplate. However, the bottom receiving plate only partially receives thelight guiding module, so that temperature of the light guiding module isdifferent in areas in which the bottom receiving plate is disposed,areas compared to areas in which the bottom receiving plate is notdisposed. Characteristics of the display panel are affected by thetemperature, so that brightness changes according to changes of thetemperature. For example, an area of the display panel having relativelyhigh temperature has a relatively high brightness. Thus, the differencein temperature between the area in which the bottom receiving plate isdisposed and the area in which the bottom receiving plate is notdisposed causes a brightness difference, so that a defect such as astains or other undesirable visual effects occurs.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Example embodiments of the present invention provide a backlightassembly configured to more efficiently emit heat and to display a moreuniform brightness.

Example embodiments of the present invention also provide a displayapparatus having the backlight assembly.

According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a backlightassembly includes a light guiding plate, a light source and a bottomreceiving plate. The light source is disposed at a first side of thelight guiding plate. The bottom receiving plate includes a bottomsurface and a side wall to form a receiving space in which at least aportion of the light guiding plate is placed. The bottom surface issmaller than a lower surface of the light guiding plate and has aplurality of openings formed through the bottom surface. The side wallextends from the bottom surface.

In an example embodiment, each of the openings may have substantiallythe same size and shape, and be uniformly arranged through the bottomreceiving plate.

In an example embodiment, sizes of each of the openings may decreasewith distance from the light source.

In an example embodiment, each of the openings may have substantiallythe same size and shape, and be irregularly arranged through the bottomreceiving plate.

In an example embodiment, a density of the openings may decrease withdistance from the light source.

In an example embodiment, a distance between the openings may increasewith distance from the light source.

In an example embodiment, ones of the openings may have sizes differentfrom each other and have a substantially same shape.

In an example embodiment, sizes of each of the openings may decreasewith distance from the light source.

In an example embodiment, each opening may have one of a quadrilateralshape, a triangular shape, a circular shape and an elliptic shape.

In an example embodiment, the side wall of the bottom receiving platemay include a first side wall and a second side wall orientedsubstantially parallel to the first side wall.

In an example embodiment, the bottom receiving plate does not cover thefirst side of the light guiding plate.

In an example embodiment, the bottom receiving plate may receive acentral portion of the light guiding plate.

In an example embodiment, the backlight assembly may further include afixing film maintaining positions of the light source and a reflectingplate.

In an example embodiment, the side wall of the bottom receiving platemay include a first side wall, a second side wall, and a third sidewall. The second side wall may be oriented substantially parallel withthe first side wall. The third side wall may face the first side of thelight guiding plate.

In an example embodiment, at least portions of the light source and thefirst side of the light guiding plate may be positioned in the receivingspace.

In an example embodiment, an area of the bottom surface of the bottomreceiving plate may be less than a half of an area of the lower surfaceof the light guiding plate.

In an example embodiment, the backlight assembly may further include anoptical sheet and a reflecting plate. The optical sheet may be disposedover the light guiding plate. The reflecting plate may be disposedbetween the light guiding plate and the bottom surface of the bottomreceiving plate.

In an example embodiment, the backlight assembly may further include abottom mold disposed between the reflecting plate and the bottomreceiving plate and supporting a boundary of the reflecting plate.

According to still another example embodiment of the present invention,a display apparatus includes a display panel configured to display animage, a backlight assembly and a middle mold. The backlight assemblyincludes a light guiding plate, a light source disposed at a first sideof the light guiding plate, and a bottom receiving plate including abottom surface and a side wall to form a receiving space in which atleast a portion of the light guiding plate is placed. The bottom surfaceis smaller than a lower surface of the light guiding plate and has aplurality of openings formed through the bottom surface. The middle moldis disposed between the display panel and the backlight assembly, andsupports the display panel.

According to the present invention, the backlight assembly of a displayapparatus includes a bottom receiving plate with a bottom surfacethrough which a plurality of openings is formed, so that heat generatedfrom the light source may be more efficiently dissipated and moreuniform brightness of the display apparatus may be obtained.

In addition, the light guiding plate and etc. are efficiently receivedand supported by the bottom receiving plate, and total size and weightof the display apparatus may be reduced at the same time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention will become moreapparent by describing in detail example embodiments thereof withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom receiving plateaccording to another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom receiving plateaccording to still another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom receiving plateaccording to still another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom receiving plateaccording to still another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom receiving plateaccording to still another example embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a exploded perspective view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to another example embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 8;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to an example embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is across-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display apparatus 10 according to thepresent example embodiment includes a backlight assembly 50, a displaypanel 600, a middle mold 700 and a top cover 800. The backlight assembly50 includes a bottom receiving plate 100, a light source 200, a lightguiding plate 300, a reflecting plate 400, an optical sheet 500 and alower mold 1000.

The display panel 600 is disposed on the backlight assembly 50, anddisplays an image using a light provided from the backlight assembly 50according to a driving signal and a data signal applied from an externalsource. The display panel 600 may include an array substrate 610, anopposite substrate 620 placed opposite to the array substrate 610, and aliquid crystal layer (not shown) disposed between the array substrate610 and the opposite substrate 620. A chip driving the display apparatus10 is directly mounted on a side of the array substrate 610 to drive thedisplay panel 600. Alternatively, a flexible printed circuit board (FPC)612 extending to an external driving circuit is formed on the side ofthe array substrate 610 to drive the display panel 600. The FPC 612extends along a side of the display panel 600, covers a side of thedisplay apparatus 10, and extends to a lower portion of the backlightassembly 50. A driving board 614 connected with the FPC 612 is disposedunder the backlight assembly 50.

The middle mold 700 is disposed between the display panel 600 and thebacklight assembly 50 to support the display panel 600. The middle mold700 has a quadrilateral frame shape with an open-bottom to support edgesof the display panel 600. The middle mold 700 is described to have aquadrilateral frame shape in the present example embodiment, but is notlimited thereto. For example, the middle mold 700 may have a partiallyopen-bottom, so that the middle mold 700 may support the display panel600 more stably. The middle mold 700 may also have an X-shaped bottom,or a combed pattern shaped bottom.

The top cover 800 is disposed over the display panel 600 to cover edgesof the display panel 600 and the side of the backlight assembly 50. Forexample, the top cover 800 has a quadrilateral frame having an L-shapebended cross-section, and has an open-top to display an image displayedon the display panel 600. A side of the top cover 800 covers a side ofthe FPC 612 extending from the display panel 600.

The light source 200 includes a plurality of light emitting diodes(LEDs) driven by an external power source. The LED is a point lightsource having the ability to direct its light substantially along aspecified direction. The LEDs are mounted on the backlight assembly 50.The backlight assembly 50 may include a fixing plate 210 electricallyconnected to an external driving power supply through a light sourcedriving film 220. The light source driving film 220 may extend from aside of the fixing plate 210 along a side of the bottom receiving plate100, and be connected with an external driving part (not shown). Thelight source 200 is disposed at a side of the light guiding plate 300.For example, the light source 200 is disposed adjacent to a first side310 of the light guiding plate 300.

The light guiding plate 300 changes incident light from point lightsources or line light sources to an exiting light having lightdistributed as if from a surface light source. In other words, brightspots or lines from the light sources themselves are no longer visibleto the viewer. The light guiding plate 300 includes a first side 310 towhich the light source 200 is adjacent, second sides 320 extending fromthe first side 310, and a third side 330 opposite to the first side 310.The light guiding plate 300 may have a plate shape having asubstantially uniform thickness as illustrated, but is not limitedthereto. For example, the light guiding plate 300 may have a wedgeshape, so that a thickness of light guiding plate gradually becomesthinner or thicker from the first side 310 to the third side 330.

The reflecting plate 400 is disposed under the light guiding plate 300and reflects light exiting from the lower surface of the light guidingplate 300. For example, some of the light incident to the light guidingplate 300 from the light source 200 exits from a bottom of the lightguiding plate 300, not from a top of the light guiding plate 300. Thus,the reflecting plate 400 reflects light exiting from the bottom of thelight guiding plate 300, so that the light may instead be redirectedthrough the top of the light guiding plate 300.

The optical sheets 500 are disposed over the light guiding plate 300,and enhance optical characteristics of the light exiting from the lightguiding plate 300. As one exemplary configuration, the optical sheets500 may include a prism sheet 510 and a diffusion sheet 520. The prismsheet 510 has a prism pattern on a surface of the prism sheet 510, andchanges the direction of light exiting from the light guiding plate 300to a direction substantially perpendicular to the light guiding plate300. The diffusion sheet 520 diffuses the light exiting from the prismsheet 510, so that a brightness characteristic may be improved.

The lower mold 1000 is disposed under the reflecting plate 400 tosupport edges of the reflecting plate 400 and the light guiding plate300. The lower mold 1000 shown has a C-shaped quadrilateral frame shapewith an open-bottom to support edges of the reflecting plate 400. Forexample, the lower mold 1000 includes a first frame 1010 correspondingto the second side 320 of the light guiding plate 300, and a secondframe 1020 corresponding to the third side 330 of the light guidingplate 300. Thus, the lower mold 1000 has a C-shape having an open-sidewhich corresponds to the first side 310 of the light guiding plate 300.As mentioned in further detail hereinafter, the bottom receiving plate100 has an open-side, so that the bottom receiving plate 100 partiallyreceives the light guiding plate 300 (i.e. the bottom receiving plate100 only partially covers the lower surface of the light guiding plate300). Thus, the lower mold 1000 provides additional support for thoseportions of the light guiding plate 300 not secured by the bottomreceiving plate 100.

The lower mold 1000 may further include a first sub-frame 1012additionally supporting sides of the reflecting plate 400 and the lightguiding plate 300, and a second sub-frame 1014 more stably fixing thedriving board 614 under the lower mold 1000. The first and secondsub-frames 1012 and 1014 extend from the first frame 1010 to an interiorof the C-shape of the lower mold 1000. The first sub-frame 1012partially supports the side of the reflecting plate 400 and the side ofthe light guiding plate 300. The driving board 614 is disposed under thesecond sub-frame 1014. The FPC 612 extends from the display panel 600 tocover the middle mold 700, the optic sheets 500, a light guiding plate300, and sides of the lower mold 1000. The FPC 612 extends, and isconnected, to a top surface of the driving board 614.

The bottom receiving plate 100 includes a bottom surface 110 and a sidewall 120 extending from the bottom surface 110. An area of the bottomsurface 110 is smaller than an area of the bottom of the light guidingplate 300. Thus, the bottom receiving plate 100 only partially coversthe lower surfaces of the light guiding plate 300 and the reflectingplate 400. For example, the bottom receiving plate 100 receives thefirst side 310 of the light guiding plate 300, portions of the sidesextending from the first side 310, and a portion of the bottom of thelight guiding plate 300. In addition, the bottom receiving plate 100receives part of the first frame 1010 of the lower mold 1000. Thus, aportion of the light guiding plate 300 is not covered by the bottomreceiving plate 100, and remains exposed. The bottom receiving plate 100has a minimum size and has a shape such that the bottom receiving plate100 may stably receive the light guiding plate 300 and reflecting plate400. That is, while not covering the entire light guiding plate 300, thebottom receiving plate 100 is still of sufficient size and coverage tosecurely hold the light guiding plate 300 and reflecting plate 400 Thus,a thickness or a weight of the display apparatus may be decreased.Accordingly, an area of the bottom surface 110 of the bottom receivingplate 100 may assume various shapes and sizes, to satisfy theabove-mentioned conditions. For example, the area of the bottom surface110 of the bottom receiving plate 100 may be larger than or equal tohalf of the area of the bottom surface of the light guiding plate 300,or smaller than half of this area.

For example, the bottom receiving plate 100 includes first and secondside walls 124 and 126 formed substantially parallel to each other, anda third side wall 122 corresponding to the first side 310 of the lightguiding plate 300. The light source 200 is disposed between the firstside 310 of the light guiding plate 300 and the third side wall 122 ofthe bottom receiving plate 100, and is received, or placed, in thebottom receiving plate 100 with the light guiding plate 300. Forexample, the bottom receiving plate 100 receives the light source 200and partially receives the light guiding plate 300 including the firstside 310. That is, the bottom receiving plate 100 holds or contacts theentire bottom surface of light source 200, and holds or contacts only aportion of the light guiding plate 300.

A pattern of openings 112 is formed in the bottom surface 110 of thebottom receiving plate 100. The openings 112 have substantially uniformsize and shape, and are uniformly arranged through the bottom receivingplate 100. For example, each of the openings 112 has a generallyrectangular shape extending along a first direction D1 that issubstantially parallel to the third side wall 122 of the bottomreceiving plate 100. The openings 112 are formed side by side andseparated by a uniform distance along a second direction D2 that issubstantially perpendicular to the first direction D1. The inventioncontemplates any sizes of the openings 112 and any distances between theopenings 112. For example, sizes of the openings 112 and distancesbetween the openings 112 may be changed according to an amount of heatgenerated by the light source 200.

Generally, the bottom receiving plate 100 is metal, or includes a metal.Thus, the heat generated by the light source 200 is conducted from thethird side wall 122 of the bottom receiving plate 100 to the remainderof the bottom receiving plate 100. During operation, the temperature ofthe plate 100 increases approaching the third side wall 122, anddecreases with distance from the third side wall 122. In addition, thetemperature is different between the area of the backlight assembly 50in which the bottom surface 110 is disposed and the area in which thebottom surface 110 is not disposed. However, according to the presentexample embodiment, the heat generated from the light source 200 may bemore efficiently dissipated to via the openings 112 formed through thebottom surface 110, which provide a heat transfer path to the externalsurroundings. Thus, the temperature of the bottom surface 110 may have amore uniform distribution, so that the temperature at the boundary ofthe bottom surface 110 may be more uniformly maintained.

As mentioned above, the bottom receiving plate 100 has the plurality ofopenings 112 having a substantially uniform pattern, so that heat may bemore efficiently dissipated. In addition, the size of the opening 112and the distance between the openings 112 may be changed according tothe amount of heat generated by the light source 200 and the total sizeof the display apparatus 10, so that the temperature may be moreuniformly maintained as between the area in which the bottom surface 110is disposed and the area in which the bottom surface 110 is notdisposed.

As above, the sizes and shapes of the openings 112 are not limited tothe present example embodiment. The sizes of the openings 112 and thedistances between the openings 112 may be changed according to theamount of heat generated by the light source 200 and an overallstiffness of the display apparatus 10. Hereinafter, additional exampleembodiments are explained in detail referring to FIGS. 2 to 6.

In addition, the light source 200 is disposed adjacent to the first side310, which is a relatively longer side of the light guiding plate 300 inthe present example embodiment. However, the embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. For example, the light source 200 maybe disposed adjacent to the second side 320 which is a relativelyshorter side of the light guiding plate 300 (or to any other side). Inthis case, an overall structure is substantially the same as that of thebacklight assembly 50, except that the third side wall 122 of the bottomreceiving plate 100 is formed and positioned to correspond to the secondside 320.

As mentioned above, according to the present example embodiment, thebacklight assembly 50 includes a bottom receiving plate 100 having aplurality of openings having a uniform pattern, so that the heatgenerated from the light source 200 may be more efficiently dissipated,and more uniform brightness may be maintained.

In addition, the light guiding plate 300 and other structures are moreefficiently received and supported by the bottom receiving plate 100,and the total size and weight of the display apparatus 10 may also bereduced.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom receiving plateaccording to another example embodiment of the present invention. Thebottom receiving plate 101 according to the present example embodimentis substantially the same as the bottom receiving plate 100 illustratedin FIG. 1, except that each of the openings 113 has a generallyrectangular shape whose longer sides (or major axes) are orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the third side wall 122 of the bottomreceiving plate 101. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals will beused to refer to the same or like parts as those described in FIG. 1,and any repetitive explanation concerning the above elements will belargely omitted.

Referring to FIG. 3, the bottom receiving plate 101 has openings 113each of which has a rectangular shape whose longer sides extend alongthe second direction D2 substantially perpendicular to the third sidewall 122. The rectangular shaped openings 113 have uniform size andshape, and are uniformly arranged through the bottom receiving plate101.

The bottom receiving plate 101 has openings 113 having a rectangularshape substantially perpendicular to the third side wall 122, so thatthe bottom receiving plate 101 more efficiently supports the partsdisposed on the bottom receiving plate 101 when a load along the seconddirection D2 is larger than a load along the first direction D1. Inaddition, heat generated by the light source 200 may be more efficientlydissipated.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom receiving plateaccording to still another example embodiment of the present invention.The bottom receiving plate 102 according to this example embodiment issubstantially the same as the bottom receiving plate 100 illustrated inFIG. 1, except that each of openings 114 has a substantially circularshape. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals will be used to refer tothe same or like parts as those described in FIG. 1, and any repetitiveexplanation concerning the above elements will be largely omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, the bottom receiving plate 102 has openings 114each of which has a substantially circular shape. The circular shapedopenings 114 have substantially uniform size and shape, and areuniformly arranged through the bottom receiving plate 102.

The substantially circular openings 114 allow the bottom receiving plate102 to efficiently and uniformly support the parts disposed thereon inall directions. In addition, a heat generated from the light source 200may be more efficiently dissipated.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom receiving plateaccording to still another example embodiment of the present invention.The bottom receiving plate 103 according to this example embodiment issubstantially the same as the bottom receiving plate 100 illustrated inFIG. 1, except that each of openings 115 has a substantially triangularshape. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals will be used to refer tothe same or like parts as those described in FIG. 1, and any repetitiveexplanation concerning the above elements will be largely omitted.

Referring to FIG. 5, the bottom receiving plate 103 has openings 115each of which has a substantially triangular shape. The triangularshaped openings 115 have substantially uniform size and shape, and areuniformly arranged through the bottom receiving plate 103. For example,the opening 115 has a generally isosceles triangular shape, and a bottomside 115 a of each isosceles triangle shape is substantially parallelwith the third side wall 112 of the bottom receiving plate 103.Therefore, a size of each of the openings becomes smaller with distancefrom the third side wall 112 of the bottom receiving plate 103. That is,the area of each triangle becomes smaller along the second direction D2.As above, temperature is greatest near the third side wall 112, anddecreases with distance from side wall 112. Therefore, the openings 115have an isosceles triangle shape, and the size of each of the openings115 becomes smaller farther from the third side wall 112 along thesecond direction D2, so that an amount of the heat dissipated in an areaadjacent to the third side wall 122 is greater than that in an areafarther from the third side wall 122. Thus, heat may be more uniformlydissipated, and the temperature may be more uniformly maintained betweenthe area in which the bottom receiving plate 103 is disposed and an areain which the bottom receiving plate 103 is not disposed. Thus, thebottom receiving plate 103 may provide a more efficient and thermallyuniform receiving space. In addition, the heat generated by the lightsource 200 may be more efficiently dissipated.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom receiving plateaccording to still another example embodiment of the present invention.The bottom receiving plate 104 according to this example embodiment issubstantially the same as the bottom receiving plate 100 illustrated inFIG. 1, except that a distance between the openings 116 becomes largerwith distance from the third side wall 122 of the bottom receiving plate104. Hereinafter, the same reference numerals will be used to refer tothe same or like parts as those described in FIG. 1, and any repetitiveexplanation concerning the above elements will be largely omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6, the bottom receiving plate 104 has the openings 116each of which has a substantially rectangular shape with its longeredges extending along the first direction D1 substantially parallel withthe third side wall 122 of the bottom receiving plate 104. The openings116 have substantially uniform size and shape, and are not uniformlyspaced across the bottom receiving plate 104. For example, the distancebetween the openings 116 in the second direction D2 increases withdistance from the third side wall 112. Thus, the density of the openings116 becomes smaller with distance from the third side wall 112. Asabove, the temperature of the bottom receiving plate 104 decreases withdistance from the third side wall 112. Similarly, the size of each ofthe openings 116 decreases with distance from the third side wall 112 ofthe bottom receiving plate 104, so that the amount of heat dissipated inan area adjacent the third side wall 122 is larger than that in an areafarther from the third side wall 122. Thus, the heat may be moreuniformly dissipated, and the heat generated from the light source 200may be efficiently dissipated. It should be noted that the inventionencompasses configurations in which either the size of the openings 116,or the distance between the openings 116, or both, decreases withdistance from third side wall 112.

This general pattern of opening density that decreases with distancefrom wall 112 may be applied to other-shaped openings. For example, itmay be applied to the previous example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.Thus, when each opening has a substantially circular shape, the densityof the openings become smaller farther from the light source, so thatheat may be more uniformly dissipated and more uniform brightness may bemaintained. In addition, the above-mentioned arrangement may be appliedto various other kinds of opening shapes.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a bottom receiving plateaccording to still another example embodiment of the present invention.The bottom receiving plate 105 of this example embodiment issubstantially the same as the bottom receiving plate 100 illustrated inFIG. 1, except that openings 117 have sizes different from each other.Hereinafter, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to thesame or like parts as those described in FIG. 1, and any repetitiveexplanation concerning the above elements will be largely omitted.

Referring to FIG. 7, each of the openings 117 has a substantiallyrectangular shape with its longer edges extending along the second firstdirection D1 substantially parallel with the third side wall 122 of thebottom receiving plate 105. The openings 117 have the same shapes buthave sizes different from each other. For example, a width of each ofthe openings 117 becomes larger closer to the third side wall 122 of thebottom receiving plate 105. Thus, a size of each of the openings 117decreases with distance from the third side wall 122. Accordingly, heatdissipated in an area adjacent to the third side wall 122 is larger thanthat in an area far from the third side wall 122. Therefore, heat may bemore uniformly dissipated and more uniform brightness may be maintained.

This general pattern of opening size that decreases with distance fromwall 112 may be applied to other-shaped openings. For example, it may beapplied to the previous example embodiment illustrated in FIG.3. Thus,when each opening has a substantially circular shape, the size of eachof the openings becomes smaller farther from the light source, so thatheat may be more uniformly dissipated and more uniform brightness may bemaintained. In addition, the above-mentioned arrangement may be appliedto various kinds of opening shapes.

In addition, other opening shapes are contemplated. For example, theshape of the opening may be an ellipse, a semicircle and etc.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display apparatusaccording to another example embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of FIG. 8. The displayapparatus 20 of this example embodiment is substantially the same as thedisplay apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, except for a shape of thebottom receiving plate 107. Hereinafter, the same reference numeralswill be used to refer to the same or like parts as those described inFIG. 1, and any repetitive explanation concerning the above elementswill be largely omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the bottom receiving plate 107 includes abottom surface 110 and a side wall 120 extending from the bottom surface110, and a size of the bottom surface 110 is smaller than a size of thebottom of the light guiding plate 300.

For example, the bottom receiving plate 107 includes a first side wall124 and a second side wall 126 that are substantially parallel with eachother. Thus, a cross-section of the bottom receiving plate 107 has ageneral C-shape with an open-top portion. A first side 310 of the lightguiding plate 300 is exposed to the outside (i.e., its surroundings),and the bottom receiving plate 107 partially covers the bottom of thelight guiding plate 300. Considering overall stability of a backlightassembly 60, the bottom receiving plate 107 may receive a central areaof the bottom of the light guiding plate 300, i.e., the plate 107 maycover only a middle portion of the lower surface of the light guidingplate 300, not covering either of edges 310 and 330, instead leavingthem exposed. Thus, a first side 310 of the light guiding plate 300, anopposite side 330 opposite to the first side 310, and the light source200 are exposed to the outside. The bottom receiving plate 107 may beformed as the smallest size in a range in which the light guiding plate300 and the reflecting plate 400 may be stably received in the bottomreceiving plate 107, so that thickness and weight of the displayapparatus 20 may be reduced. In other words, the bottom receiving plate107 can be made as small as possible, while still reliably supportingthe light guiding plate 300 and reflecting plate 400. In addition, asize of the bottom surface 110 of the bottom receiving plate 107 may bevariously changed. For example, a size of the bottom surface 110 of thebottom receiving plate 107 may be larger than or equal to a half of thesize of the bottom of the light guiding plate 300, or smaller than ahalf of the size of the bottom of the light guiding plate 300.

A plurality of openings 119 having a substantially uniform pattern isformed through the bottom surface 110 of the bottom receiving plate 107.The openings 119 have uniform size and shape, and are uniformly formedthrough the bottom receiving plate 100. For example, each of theopenings 119 has a substantially rectangular shape with its longer sidesextending along the first direction D1. The rectangular openings 119 areformed along the second direction D2 separated by a substantiallyuniform distance from each other. However, sizes of the openings 119 anddistances between the openings 119 may take on any suitable value orvalues, including non-uniform values.

A shape of the openings 119 is not limited to the present exampleembodiment. For example, the shapes of the openings illustrated in FIGS.3 to 7 may be applied to the shape of the openings 119 according to thepresent example embodiment.

The display apparatus 20 may further include a fixing film 900 fixingthe light source 200 and the reflecting plate 400. The fixing film 900is disposed under the light source 200 and the reflecting plate 400, andis disposed in an area in which the bottom receiving plate 107 is notdisposed. That is, the fixing film 900 is positioned to the side of thebottom receiving plate 107, without overlapping it. The fixing film 900fixes a side of the reflecting plate 400 adjacent to the light source200. Thus, even though the light source 200 is not received in thebottom receiving plate 107, the light source 200 may be fixed at thefirst side 310 of the light guiding plate 300.

As mentioned above, the bottom receiving plate is disposed to receivethe central portion of the light guiding plate, so that heat transferfrom the light source is reduced, and the temperature may be moreuniformly maintained along the entire area of the display apparatus.

In addition, a pattern of openings is formed through the bottomreceiving plate, so that the light guiding plate may be received, yetheat may be more uniformly dissipated, and more uniform brightness maybe maintained.

As mentioned above, according to the present example embodiments, abacklight assembly includes a bottom receiving plate having a pluralityof openings having a pattern in a bottom surface, so that heattransmission from the light source may be reduced and more uniformbrightness may be maintained.

In addition, the light guiding plate and other structures are moreefficiently supported by the bottom receiving plate, and total size andweight of the display apparatus may be reduced at the same time.

The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof Although a few example embodiments of thepresent invention have been described, those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exampleembodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings andadvantages of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the present invention asdefined in the claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses areintended to cover the structures described herein as performing therecited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalentstructures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing isillustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed aslimited to the specific example embodiments disclosed, and thatmodifications to the disclosed example embodiments, as well as otherexample embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of theappended claims. The present invention is defined by the followingclaims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.

1. A backlight assembly comprising: a light guiding plate; a lightsource disposed at a first side of the light guiding plate; and a bottomreceiving plate comprising a bottom surface and a side wall to form areceiving space in which at least a portion of the light guiding plateis placed, the bottom surface being smaller than a lower surface of thelight guiding plate and having a plurality of openings formed throughthe bottom surface, the side wall extending from the bottom surface. 2.The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the openings has asubstantially same size and shape, and are uniformly arranged throughthe bottom receiving plate.
 3. The backlight assembly of claim 2,wherein sizes of each of the openings decrease with distance from thelight source.
 4. The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein each of theopenings has a substantially same size and shape, and are irregularlyarranged through the bottom receiving plate.
 5. The backlight assemblyof claim 4, wherein a density of the openings decreases with distancefrom the light source.
 6. The backlight assembly of claim 4, whereindistances between the openings increase with distance from the lightsource.
 7. The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein ones of theopenings have sizes different from each other and have a substantiallysame shape.
 8. The backlight assembly of claim 7, wherein sizes of eachof the openings decrease with distance from the light source.
 9. Thebacklight assembly of claim 1, wherein each opening has one of aquadrilateral shape, a triangular shape, a circular shape and anelliptic shape.
 10. The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein the sidewall of the bottom receiving plate comprises a first side wall and asecond side wall oriented substantially parallel to the first side wall.11. The backlight assembly of claim 10, wherein the bottom receivingplate does not cover the first side of the light guiding plate.
 12. Thebacklight assembly of claim 11, wherein the bottom receiving platereceives a central portion of the light guiding plate.
 13. The backlightassembly of claim 12, further comprising a fixing film maintainingpositions of the light source and a reflecting plate.
 14. The backlightassembly of claim 1, wherein the side wall of the bottom receiving platecomprises a first side wall, a second side wall oriented substantiallyparallel to the first side wall, and a third side wall facing the firstside of the light guiding plate.
 15. The backlight assembly of claim 14,wherein at least portions of the light source and the first side of thelight guiding plate are positioned in the receiving space.
 16. Thebacklight assembly of claim 15, wherein an area of the bottom surface ofthe bottom receiving plate is less than half of an area of the lowersurface of the light guiding plate.
 17. The backlight assembly of claim1, further comprising: an optical sheet disposed over the light guidingplate; and a reflecting plate disposed between the light guiding plateand the bottom surface of the bottom receiving plate.
 18. The backlightassembly of claim 17, further comprising a bottom mold disposed betweenthe reflecting plate and the bottom receiving plate and supporting aboundary of the reflecting plate.
 19. A display apparatus comprising: adisplay panel configured to display an image; a backlight assemblycomprising: a light guiding plate, a light source disposed at a firstside of the light guiding plate; and a bottom receiving plate comprisinga bottom surface and a side wall to form a receiving space in which atleast a portion of the light guiding plate is placed, the bottom surfacebeing smaller than a lower surface of the light guiding plate and havinga plurality of openings formed through the bottom surface; and a middlemold disposed between the display panel and the backlight assembly, themiddle mold supporting the display panel.